This MLA-elect is the first Black woman to be elected to the Alberta Legislature
On Monday, Rhiannon Hoyle was elected to the riding of Edmonton-South, making her the first Black woman elected to the Alberta Legislature.
"This is such a surreal moment. It's an absolute dream," Hoyle said Monday night after her victory.
"I ran municipally and now a couple years later we're here as the MLA elect. I'm also proud to be representing the first Black and mixed-race and African woman from Trinidad and Tobago. And it's just really wonderful."
Hoyle has lived in Edmonton-South for 18 years.
While she's thrilled about the victory, she wonders why it's taken so long to see a Black woman in the legislative assembly.
"I'm the first and I'm the only one. Black folks have been here for 200 years so at the same time it shows we have a lot more to do and a lot more growth, we need more than just me."
It's a sentiment echoed by other Black Canadians.
Deborah Dobbins is the executive director of Shiloh Centre for Multicultural Roots.
The non-profit organization has a mandate of sharing the experiences of Black western Canadians through art, education, and social justice.
She says it's important to remember that Black people have been in Alberta since the province was founded.
"We helped develop Alberta and the Prairie Provinces when it was first developed in 1905, 6, 7, and we’ve been here ever since. It's important that we are respected, that we are accepted as being Albertans, not immigrants. We are Albertans who were here when Alberta first became a province," she told CTV News Edmonton on Tuesday.
"We should be part of the governing body to move forward, because our voice matters just as much as everyone else's."
She says it's important for other Black Albertans to see themselves represented in government.
"It's important that young people today see themselves in the leadership, see themselves in places of power and authority, and that they too can rise."
It's something Hoyle says is important to her in her new role.
"I'm one perspective but at the same time, for really for anyone of colour, boys, girls, anyone in between. This is huge and I will do my best to lead well and lead for others. I'm here to kick the door open and bring others like me into this role."
And while she's excited to represent the Black community in Alberta, Hoyle says she's for all Albertans.
"I'm excited to galvanize the community, make sure we hold this government accountable," she said.
"Better health care, better education, better jobs. I come here with business experience. I'm gonna help small business. Help families and seniors. Edmonton-South and Edmonton has a strong leader in me and I'm ready to do this."
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Jessica Robb and Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.